Happy winter! It is that fun time of year again; we begin to see the season’s change, pull out our fluffy sweaters, and snuggle up to the elements of warmth and fire. Unfortunately, for most of us, this may also come along with an unfriendly bout of the cold or flu. According to Ayurveda, the sister science to Yoga, the common cold or flu-like symptoms are a cause of a Kapha, or Vata, imbalance. Plainly put, this signifies an imbalance in the cold and dry or cold and wet inner-workings of the body.
Thankfully, Ayurvedic Science offers some extremely easy, affordable, at home remedies to help you get through feeling yucky and to bring you back to feeling fantastic:
1) Force Fluids: On a normal day, you should ideally be drinking at least half of your body weight in ounces of water. Increase this. And add some lemon! The lemon juice will aid your body in fighting flu- like feelings. And make sure the water is room temperature; avoid iced water that will increase the level of chill in your body.
2) Ginger it up: The spiciness in the Ginger brings heat to the body and allows for a gentle detoxification. I like to steep one Ginger tea bag for at least ten minutes before I drink it. Also try adding a touch of powdered cinnamon to increase the tea’s cold fighting properties. Additionally, grated ginger can be added to salads and soups as well.
3) Avoid Dairy: Stick with leafy greens and fresh fruits; most dairy tends to increase the mucus levels in the body. Instead, up your intake of leafy greens, warm soup, and fresh additive-free foods.
4) Get some rest: Gentle exercise and Restorative Yoga are ideal. Take a break from heavy, intense physical activity, and instead focus on re-balancing yourself with the right foods and liquids.
I truly hope that these tips help you to feel your best! Cheers to Winter and all that this season brings; even if it happens to be the gift of a runny nose.
Namaste,
Alexis Galvez
NEXT Ambassador
Alexis, a California native, teaches Vinyasa Yoga and the Pure Barre dance technique in Orange County. She is also a Holistic Nutritional Consultant and a Loyola Marymount certified Yoga Therapist. Follow one of Swimspot.com's newest NEXT Ambassadors on twitter at yogalexis, or get in touch with her via email at yogalexis@gmail.com.
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